Keir Starmer to deliver farewell speech as he leaves office just two years after record general election win
Keir Starmer is set to deliver his farewell speech shortly, as he leaves the office of Prime Minister, with Andy Burnham stepping in to replace him.
Sir Keir will stand at the Prime Minister's podium outside of 10 Downing Street and will address the nation for the final time.
The Holborn and St Pancras MP stepped down on June 22 and Andy Burnham was officially named Labour leader on Friday, before taking over as PM later today, after having met with the King at Buckingham Palace.
He is then set to give his opening statement outside No10 at 12:40pm.
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Prisons Minister Lord Timpson resigns ahead of Andy Burnham becoming PM
Prisons Minister Lord Timpson has resigned from government, just hours before Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister.
Lord James Timpson left his role as CEO of the Timpson group in July 2024 to take up the role as Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and Probation.
He oversaw the controversial early release scheme which saw tens of thousand of inmates let out to create more space - prisons in England and Wales were almost at full capacity.
According to the BBC, in a departing statement, he said: "It has been an honour to serve as Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending and to leave with our prisons and probation service in a much healthier and happier state than two years ago."
National Lottery among companies to be nationalised in Andy Burnham's push for big state
The National Lottery is reported to be among the companies set to be nationalised by Andy Burnham, in his push for a big state.
It is understood that the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, is pushing for the National Lottery to be among the companies nationalised, amid concerns about the current operator’s performance.
Other companies include Thames Water, with the soon-to-be PM being urged by members of his party to nationalise the water giant following supply problems.
Ministry of Justice has paid £176k to influencers since Labour came to power
The Ministry of Justice, ran by David Lammy, has paid £176,000 to social media influencers since Labour came to power.
Since July 2024, online content creators have been paid hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money to promote Labour's policies.
Justice minister Jake Richards confirmed £176,140 had been spent on "influencer activity" to "work with content creators who can help us achieve our communications objectives", The Daily Mail reports.
The Conservatives meanwhile have accused Mr Lammy of "paying for good publicity".
Scotland Yard looking into claims Labour banned fox hunting in return for £1m donation
The Met Police is looking into allegations that Labour introduced the ban on fox hunting following a £1million donation.
Scotland Yard is assessing the claims that the ban - which was introduced in 2004 - was done in return for a monetary gift by the International for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
Former Labour fundraiser Brian Basham said he had "known for many years" that the act was "bought and paid for by a political donation".
Pro-hunting campaigners have filed a formal complaint requesting an investigation into Lord Mandelson and Mr Basham, as well as the Labour Party for alleged misconduct in public office.
Fears Andy Burnham 'will take Britain back to 1970s with state control' ahead of No10 takeover
Fears have been raised that Andy Burnham will plunge Britain back into the 1970s after he unveiled his plans for more nationalisation.
With Mr Burnham weighing up taking Thames Water and possibly bus services into the arms of the state, Reform UK's Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said the new Prime Minister would "hammer businesses and take the country back to the 1970s with state control".
Mr Jenrick has previously warned that the Makerfield MP "plans to raise taxes on your family by £3,450".
"He’s advocated £38billion of new taxes. No one voted for this. He needs to rule them out... If he won’t, Reform will fight him," he said.
Kemi Badenoch issues stern warning to Andy Burnham as he prepares to become PM
Kemi Badenoch has issued a stern warning to Andy Burnham ahead of his first major speech as Prime Minister later today.
The Conservative leader penned a letter to No10's newest tenant, vowing to never "shirk" her responsibility as Leader of the Opposition to hold the Prime Minister to account.
Mrs Badenoch also piled pressure onto Mr Burnham to rule out tax rises on hard-working Britons and ditch Labour's "disastrous" ban on drilling in the North Sea.
Failing to do so would threaten Britons with a "damaging summer of speculation, affecting business investment, home owners and family finances", the North West Essex MP said...
READ KEMI BADENOCH'S WARNING IN FULL HERE
The announcements Andy Burnham has already made before he takes reins at No10
Digital ID Cards: Andy Burnham would scrap the digital ID card scheme and redirect the funding towards tackling the cost of living. He says the money should be spent on more immediate public priorities.
North Sea Oil and Gas: The new Prime Minister backs drilling at the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil fields - though only if existing licences are upheld. He says this would help protect jobs and improve energy security.
Thames Water: Mr Burnham is expected to place Thames Water into special administration if it cannot secure its finances. He also wants greater public control of essential utilities.
£2 Bus Fare Cap: The Makerfield MP is considering restoring the £2 cap on single bus fares. He also wants to make public transport more affordable for young people.
National Care Service: Mr Burnham wants to create a National Care Service with social care free at the point of use. He also plans to speed up reforms to the social care system.
"No10 North": The ex-Manchester Mayor plans to move part of the Prime Minister's Office to the city he once ruled. He says this will support greater devolution and regional decision-making.
Housebuilding: Mr Burnham has promised the biggest council house-building programme since the Second World War. He wants to use vacant public land to help deliver more affordable homes.
Wealth Tax and Business Rates: Mr Burnham has not ruled out introducing a wealth tax in the future. He also plans to cut business rates for smaller businesses while increasing taxes on large online retailers and empty high street properties.
RECAP: Andy Burnham to address the nation for first time as Prime Minister with promise of 'political stability'
Andy Burnham will pledge that his new Government "must deliver tangible improvements in people's lives".
The new Prime Minister will say in his first speech as Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street that Britain "faces a moment not for triumphalism but for honesty and reflection" today.
He will set out his priorities for restoring confidence in Government and giving Britain more breathing room.
Mr Burnham will say that he is "acutely conscious" of being the sixth person to walk up Downing Street as a new Prime Minister in just 10 years...
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